Budget Travel Guide
Best Budget Destinations in Southeast Asia
17 destinations starting from $16/day. Average budget cost: $31/day.
17
Destinations
$16
Cheapest/day
$31
Average/day
Southeast Asia is the ultimate budget travel destination. From the street food capitals of Bangkok and Hanoi to the beaches of Bali and Phuket, this region offers incredible value for money. Most countries offer visa-free entry, affordable accommodation, and world-class cuisine for under $5 a meal.
Southeast Asia Destinations Ranked by Budget Cost
Yangon
Myanmar
$16
budget/day
Mid-range
$53/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Eat mohinga (fish noodle soup) at street stalls for under $0.50
View flights & detailsLuang Prabang
Laos
$19
budget/day
Mid-range
$60/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Eat at the night market buffet — fill a plate for $1.50
View flights & detailsDavao
Philippines
$20
budget/day
Mid-range
$63/day
Best months
Jan, Feb, Mar...
Top tip: Eat at local carinderias for $1-2 per meal — try kinilaw (Filipino ceviche)
View flights & detailsPhnom Penh
Cambodia
$21
budget/day
Mid-range
$65/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Cambodia uses USD — no need to exchange currency
View flights & detailsVientiane
Laos
$21
budget/day
Mid-range
$56/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Rent a bicycle to see the city for $2/day
View flights & detailsHanoi
Vietnam
$25
budget/day
Mid-range
$73/day
Best months
Feb, Mar, Apr...
Top tip: Eat pho and banh mi from street stalls for under $2
View flights & detailsHo Chi Minh City
Vietnam
$26
budget/day
Mid-range
$73/day
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb...
Top tip: Street food in District 1 and Ben Thanh market is incredibly cheap
View flights & detailsChiang Mai
Thailand
$29
budget/day
Mid-range
$76/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Rent a scooter for $5/day to explore outside the old city
View flights & detailsBandar Seri Begawan
Brunei
$31
budget/day
Mid-range
$88/day
Best months
Jan, Feb, Mar...
Top tip: Visit the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque for free
View flights & detailsKuala Lumpur
Malaysia
$32
budget/day
Mid-range
$88/day
Best months
Jan, Feb, Mar...
Top tip: Eat at mamak stalls for $1-2 meals 24/7
View flights & detailsManila
Philippines
$32
budget/day
Mid-range
$83/day
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb...
Top tip: Eat at carinderias (local eateries) for $1-2 meals
View flights & detailsSiem Reap
Cambodia
$32
budget/day
Mid-range
$80/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Buy a 3-day Angkor pass ($62) instead of single day ($37) for best value
View flights & detailsKrabi
Thailand
$32
budget/day
Mid-range
$88/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Stay in Ao Nang instead of Railay for cheaper accommodation
View flights & detailsBali
Indonesia
$35
budget/day
Mid-range
$97/day
Best months
Apr, May, Jun...
Top tip: Rent a scooter for $4-5/day instead of using Grab/taxis
View flights & detailsBangkok
Thailand
$40
budget/day
Mid-range
$105/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Eat at street food stalls and local markets for $1-3 meals
View flights & detailsPhuket
Thailand
$50
budget/day
Mid-range
$130/day
Best months
Nov, Dec, Jan...
Top tip: Stay in Kata or Karon instead of Patong for better value
View flights & detailsSingapore
Singapore
$63
budget/day
Mid-range
$175/day
Best months
Jan, Feb, Mar...
Top tip: Eat at hawker centres for $3-5 meals — best food in the city
View flights & detailsCost Comparison Table
| # | Destination | Budget/Day | Mid/Day | Comfort/Day | Best Months | Currency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yangon, Myanmar | $16 | $53 | $123 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | MMK |
| 2 | Luang Prabang, Laos | $19 | $60 | $140 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | LAK |
| 3 | Davao, Philippines | $20 | $63 | $137 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec | PHP |
| 4 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | $21 | $65 | $140 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | USD |
| 5 | Vientiane, Laos | $21 | $56 | $127 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | LAK |
| 6 | Hanoi, Vietnam | $25 | $73 | $160 | Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov | VND |
| 7 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | $26 | $73 | $165 | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | VND |
| 8 | Chiang Mai, Thailand | $29 | $76 | $160 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb | THB |
| 9 | Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei | $31 | $88 | $185 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug | BND |
| 10 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | $32 | $88 | $193 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec | MYR |
| 11 | Manila, Philippines | $32 | $83 | $178 | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May | PHP |
| 12 | Siem Reap, Cambodia | $32 | $80 | $168 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | USD |
| 13 | Krabi, Thailand | $32 | $88 | $195 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | THB |
| 14 | Bali, Indonesia | $35 | $97 | $230 | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | IDR |
| 15 | Bangkok, Thailand | $40 | $105 | $230 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | THB |
| 16 | Phuket, Thailand | $50 | $130 | $280 | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | THB |
| 17 | Singapore, Singapore | $63 | $175 | $395 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec | SGD |
Explore Other Regions
Plan Your Southeast Asia Trip
Use our tools to find flights, estimate costs, and discover your perfect destination in Southeast Asia.